Civic Cocktail: Judge Robert Lasnik & Sen. Manka Dhingra + Omari Salisbury & Ted Warren

10/05/20 • 59 min

As Senate Republicans push to confirm President Trump's conservative Supreme Court nominee, how will that be received? Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik tells host Joni Balter politics should stay out of the process and we should avoid any temptation to load the court. He says, "...it is a bad idea, frankly, to tinker with the nine we have." State Senator Manka Dhingra is worried about the future of healthcare and reproductive rights but says Washington has protections other states do not. And, the daily protests have ended, but the Trump administration continues to label Seattle an "anarchist city." Is that fair? Two journalists who captured many moments protesters clashed with police, share their perspective. Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media, spent 30 consecutive days in the CHOP. His live stream attracted a global audience. And though he agrees Seattle has its problems, he says "to paint the whole city with this broad brush is disingenuous and misleading." Associated Press photographer Ted Warren says there was plenty of sensationalized media coming out of Seattle. He cites one example where a TV network manipulated photos to make it appear downtown Seattle was in flames and overrun by crime.

Next Episode

Civic Cocktail: 2020 Election: Analysis & Healing

One day after Americans cast their ballots in record numbers, we are joined by a prominent Democrat and Republican who share their perspectives on our divided nation. Congressmember-elect Marilyn Strickland tells host Joni Balter, no matter who becomes president, we must find a way to come together to begin solving problems. She says she'll start by listening to those who don't share her point of view. Former Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna says, "The people of our country need to see their elected leaders accomplishing something." He urges they start with an effective response to the pandemic. But even after the ballots are counted and winners declared, it's clear this country will remain bitterly divided. Two of the three founding members of the Interfaith Amigos admit healing will be difficult, but doable. Imam Jamal Rahman advises we, "Listen, respect, connect, so there's no need to talk about politics or religion, let's start by sharing stories." Pastor Don Mackenzie agrees saying people need to be heard, especially right now. But he adds, "...in order to have the difficult conversations, we come back to the need to trust each other."